Program Goals
The FRPP is designed to offer undergraduate students an enriching experience through hands-on, experiential learning, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a passion for research. The program aims to seamlessly transition motivated undergraduates, nurturing a culture of inquiry, discovery, and continuous academic growth within our undergraduate research program. Ultimately, it seeks to attract and nurture talented individuals, supporting their academic journey and contributing to the growth and vitality of our graduate school.
Program Objective
- Enhance learning beyond the classroom by providing practical research experiences.
- Foster critical thinking and analytical skills through hands-on learning activities.
- Cultivate understanding of engineering design principles and methodologies.
- Explore diverse career paths in engineering through industry connections and visits.
- Provide information and resources for exploring graduate education options.
- Develop students’ skills in presenting and articulating complex engineering concepts.
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration in research projects.
- Facilitate networking opportunities with professionals, alumni, and researchers.
- Integrate project management aspects into research projects for practical skills.
- Conduct professional development workshops on resume building and interview skills.
Research Fellow Support
Each FRPP fellow will receive a total of $7,000 in support over 12 weeks. Due to the nature of the funding, the payment should be made on an hourly basis (approximately $14.50 per hour for 480 hours during the summer).
Process and Timeline
| Proposals submitted by faculty | Feb. 28 |
| Applications from undergraduate students | Mar. 24 |
| Selected UG students interview with prospective faculty mentors | Mar. 31 |
| Committee reviews applications and selection announcements made | Apr. 04 |
| UG student conducts research project with faculty mentor (12 weeks) | May. 19-August.15* |
| Mid-term report/final report | Jun. 30/Aug. 15 |
| UG student and faculty mentor attend final poster presentation** | September 2025 |
| UG student continues research project into academic year | Fall 2025 |
**Several awards totaling $2,000 will be given to the top-ranked presenters during the poster competition after the summer.
Application Process
- Identify research project(s) that interests you.
- Apply through the button below by submitting the application materials as a single PDF document, which includes a personal statement, a resume, and unofficial transcripts. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jonghyun Park at parkjonghy@mst.edu.
- Selected candidates will be invited to interview with potential faculty mentors.
Student Eligibility
- MAE undergraduate students graduating no earlier than December 2025.
- GPA ≥ 3.5.
Requirements
- Before starting the project, the FRPP fellow should submit a research timeline, with assistance from the graduate advisor or faculty advisor.
- Work full-time for 40 hours per week for 12 weeks during the summer.
- Submit a mid-term progress report using an online form (June 30).
- Complete a survey (via online form) and submit a final report in Word format (August 15).
- Present a poster at a showcase in early Fall 2025.
Continuation
MAE FRPP supports an additional opportunity to continue their research projects during the academic year with additional support of $2,000 from this program and through the Missouri S&T OURE Program (details can be found on the OURE website) or the recent URS (Undergraduate Research Scholar) program.